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In the meantime here are 12 easy ways to help you make more of your food and cut down on waste:

Plan your meals ahead and write a shopping list. It will save you time and money at the supermarket. You may already have what you need for several meals so don’t forget to check your fridge, freezer and cupboards before you go shopping.

Buy what you need. Don’t be tempted by offers if you are not going to able to eat all your food purchases within their use-by dates.

Prepare fruit and vegetables when you first buy them. Wash, dry, dice or slice ingredients for adding to quick and easy home-cooked meals. Storing them in the fridge in plastic containers mean they are ready for use, and not languishing forgotten on the bottom shelf.

Some food waste, like potato peelings, is unavoidable, so if you have space, consider setting up a composter in your garden.

Hard cheese can be grated and frozen and used to top pasta dishes that are cooked under the grill or in the oven.

Keeping your fridge at the right temperature - between 0°C and 5°C - can help preserve food for longer.

Bread goes stale much more quickly if stored in the fridge. Keep it in a cool dark place; a bread bin or cupboard is ideal. Bread can also be frozen.

Freeze things in bags (Image: Love Food Hate Waste)

Label leftovers before freezing as once frozen, it is often difficult to tell what is inside the box or bag. Freezing food flat in bags rather than in a more rounded shape means that it can be thawed more quickly and provides more freezer space.